VOL. XCIV, NO. 247
★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS & COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES ★
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Wednesday, January 14, 2026
AbbVie Inc.
ABBV · New York Stock Exchange
Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.
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Overview
AbbVie Inc. is a U.S. biopharmaceutical company with revenue concentrated in Immunology (Humira, Skyrizi, Rinvoq) and diversified across Neuroscience (including therapeutic Botox), Oncology, Aesthetics (Botox Cosmetic, Juvederm), Eye Care, and other specialty products. The core moat is legal: patents and regulatory exclusivity around branded drugs, reinforced by high regulatory and clinical-development barriers. The Rinvoq franchise received additional protection via settlement agreements that delay expected U.S. generic entry to April 2037 (conditional on pediatric exclusivity). Major counter-pressures include loss of exclusivity (Humira has already faced U.S. biosimilar entry), rapid therapeutic innovation, and U.S. drug pricing policy (IRA negotiation selections impacting certain brands).
Primary segment
Immunology
Market structure
Oligopoly
Market share
—
HHI: —
Coverage
6 segments · 10 tags
Updated 2026-01-11
Segments
Immunology
Immunology therapies for autoimmune diseases (biologics and small molecules; e.g., IL-23, JAK, TNF)
Revenue
47.4%
Structure
Oligopoly
Pricing
moderate
Share
—
Peers
Oncology
Oncology therapeutics (hematologic malignancies and solid tumors; targeted therapies, combinations, and ADCs)
Revenue
11.6%
Structure
Competitive
Pricing
moderate
Share
—
Peers
Neuroscience
Neuroscience therapies (migraine, psychiatry, movement disorders; includes therapeutic neurotoxin)
Revenue
16%
Structure
Competitive
Pricing
moderate
Share
—
Peers
Aesthetics
Medical aesthetics (aesthetic neurotoxins, dermal fillers, and related clinic-sold products)
Revenue
9.2%
Structure
Oligopoly
Pricing
strong
Share
—
Peers
Eye Care
Ophthalmology pharmaceuticals (glaucoma, retina/implant therapies, dry eye and other eye care)
Revenue
4%
Structure
Competitive
Pricing
weak
Share
—
Peers
Other Key Products
Other specialty/legacy pharmaceuticals (e.g., HCV antivirals, gastrointestinal, metabolic and other categories)
Revenue
11.9%
Structure
Competitive
Pricing
weak
Share
—
Peers
Moat Claims
Immunology
Immunology therapies for autoimmune diseases (biologics and small molecules; e.g., IL-23, JAK, TNF)
Revenue share is derived from AbbVie FY2024 net revenues by product table (Humira + Skyrizi + Rinvoq) divided by total net revenues for the year ended 2024-12-31 (Form 10-K filed 2025-02-14).
IP Choke Point
Legal
IP Choke Point
Strength
Durability
Confidence
Evidence
Core cash flows are protected by patents/regulatory exclusivity. AbbVie disclosed settlement/license agreements that (assuming pediatric exclusivity) delay U.S. generic entry for Rinvoq until April 2037; Skyrizi/Rinvoq are identified as significant IP in the FY2024 10-K.
Erosion risks
- Loss of exclusivity and biosimilar/generic entry (rapid net price and volume erosion)
- Patent challenges, adverse litigation outcomes, or settlements on less favorable terms
- Payer/formulary pressure and step-edits reducing realized net pricing
Leading indicators
- Skyrizi and Rinvoq net revenue growth vs prior year
- Share trends in psoriasis/IBD/RA and other labeled indications
- Formulary positioning and rebate pressure in U.S. channels
Counterarguments
- Therapeutic areas are crowded; clinical differentiation can narrow as competitors launch new agents
- Large payers can force switches or limit access, blunting pricing leverage despite IP
Regulated Standards Pipe
Legal
Regulated Standards Pipe
Strength
Durability
Confidence
Evidence
High regulatory and clinical-development hurdles (multi-phase trials, cGMP manufacturing, inspections) create substantial barriers, favoring scaled incumbents with proven development/execution capabilities.
Erosion risks
- R&D productivity declines or late-stage trial failures
- Safety signals triggering label restrictions or withdrawals
- Competitors out-innovate with superior efficacy/safety or more convenient dosing
Leading indicators
- Phase 2/3 pipeline advancement and success rates
- FDA/EMA approval cadence for new indications
- Regulatory inspection outcomes and manufacturing reliability
Counterarguments
- Other large biopharma companies face the same regulatory barriers and can compete at similar scale
- Breakthroughs from smaller biotechs can leapfrog incumbents despite barriers
Oncology
Oncology therapeutics (hematologic malignancies and solid tumors; targeted therapies, combinations, and ADCs)
Revenue share is derived from AbbVie FY2024 net revenues table (Imbruvica + Venclexta + Elahere + Epkinly collaboration revenues) divided by total net revenues for the year ended 2024-12-31 (Form 10-K filed 2025-02-14).
Regulated Standards Pipe
Legal
Regulated Standards Pipe
Strength
Durability
Confidence
Evidence
Clinical and regulatory demands (large, multi-year trials; safety/efficacy endpoints; manufacturing controls) raise the bar for entrants and favor experienced developers with global trial infrastructure.
Erosion risks
- Rapidly changing standards of care and new mechanism competition
- Clinical trial failures or safety/efficacy setbacks
- Price pressure from Medicare negotiation and payer policies
Leading indicators
- Market share trends in key indications
- New competitor approvals and guideline updates
- Pipeline progression (phase transitions, pivotal readouts)
Counterarguments
- Oncology is highly competitive and innovation-driven; incumbency provides limited protection if outcomes/differentiation weaken
- Many competitors can fund comparable development programs
IP Choke Point
Legal
IP Choke Point
Strength
Durability
Confidence
Evidence
Patents and regulatory exclusivity protect branded oncology products, but durability varies by asset and can be eroded by competition, lifecycle maturity, and policy-driven price compression.
Erosion risks
- Medicare price negotiation and broader reimbursement pressure
- Generic/biosimilar entry post-exclusivity
- Share loss from superior regimens and new modalities
Leading indicators
- Net revenue trend for major oncology brands
- Clinical readouts for follow-on/lifecycle indications
- Policy milestones in Medicare negotiation cycles
Counterarguments
- Patent protection may be less valuable late in lifecycle if clinical positioning weakens
- Competitors can bundle and combine therapies, shifting demand away from single assets
Neuroscience
Neuroscience therapies (migraine, psychiatry, movement disorders; includes therapeutic neurotoxin)
Revenue share is derived from AbbVie FY2024 net revenues table (Botox Therapeutic + Vraylar + Duodopa + Ubrelvy + Qulipta + Other Neuroscience) divided by total net revenues for the year ended 2024-12-31 (Form 10-K filed 2025-02-14).
Brand Trust
Demand
Brand Trust
Strength
Durability
Confidence
Evidence
Therapeutic Botox is a long-established neurotoxin with broad clinical use across approved indications, supporting prescriber familiarity and patient willingness to continue therapy.
Erosion risks
- Competing neurotoxins or novel therapeutics reducing demand
- Safety issues, label changes, or reimbursement tightening
- Greater payer restrictions on specialty therapies
Leading indicators
- Botox Therapeutic net revenue growth and utilization trends
- Competitive launches and comparative clinical data
- Reimbursement and coverage policy changes
Counterarguments
- Clinical preference can shift if competitors offer better efficacy, safety, or convenience
- Brand trust may not prevent payer-driven switches
IP Choke Point
Legal
IP Choke Point
Strength
Durability
Confidence
Evidence
Patents/exclusivity protect major neuroscience brands, but policy can compress economics. Medicare price negotiation selection indicates potential future net price pressure for certain molecules (e.g., Vraylar).
Erosion risks
- Medicare negotiation and broader drug pricing reforms
- Generic entry post-exclusivity
- Share loss to superior or lower-cost competitors
Leading indicators
- Policy milestones for negotiated price publication and implementation
- Net revenue and TRx share trends for key brands
- Patent litigation milestones and exclusivity timelines
Counterarguments
- IP does not guarantee durable economics if payers and policy compress net pricing
- Neuroscience markets often support multiple differentiated therapies with rapid switching
Aesthetics
Medical aesthetics (aesthetic neurotoxins, dermal fillers, and related clinic-sold products)
Revenue share is derived from AbbVie FY2024 net revenues table (Botox Cosmetic + Juvederm Collection + Other Aesthetics) divided by total net revenues for the year ended 2024-12-31 (Form 10-K filed 2025-02-14).
Brand Trust
Demand
Brand Trust
Strength
Durability
Confidence
Evidence
Botox Cosmetic and Juvederm are long-standing brands with broad provider adoption and consumer awareness; AbbVie positions the portfolio as holding leading market positions across major aesthetics markets.
Erosion risks
- Consumer demand declines in recessions / discretionary spending weakness
- Competition from alternative toxins/fillers and aggressive provider discounting
- Reputational damage from safety issues or social/media backlash
Leading indicators
- Botox Cosmetic and Juvederm revenue trends and pricing/mix commentary
- Provider inventory levels and destocking/restocking cycles
- Competitive launch cadence and pricing/promotional intensity
Counterarguments
- Aesthetics switching costs can be low for price-sensitive consumers and providers
- New entrants can gain share via discounting, influencer marketing, or comparable outcomes
Eye Care
Ophthalmology pharmaceuticals (glaucoma, retina/implant therapies, dry eye and other eye care)
Revenue share is derived from AbbVie FY2024 net revenues table (Ozurdex + Lumigan/Ganfort + Alphagan/Combigan + Restasis + Other Eye Care) divided by total net revenues for the year ended 2024-12-31 (Form 10-K filed 2025-02-14).
Regulated Standards Pipe
Legal
Regulated Standards Pipe
Strength
Durability
Confidence
Evidence
Regulatory approval, quality systems, and ongoing compliance create baseline barriers, but competitive intensity and generic entry can still pressure economics in mature ophthalmology categories.
Erosion risks
- Generic competition and therapeutic substitution
- Reimbursement tightening and payer restrictions
- Pipeline underperformance vs competitors
Leading indicators
- Net revenue trends for key brands
- New approvals (innovator and generic) in major indications
- Formulary/reimbursement changes
Counterarguments
- Regulatory barriers apply to all credible competitors; they do not guarantee pricing power in mature, substitutable categories
Other Key Products
Other specialty/legacy pharmaceuticals (e.g., HCV antivirals, gastrointestinal, metabolic and other categories)
Revenue share is derived from AbbVie FY2024 net revenues table (Mavyret + Creon + Linzess/Constella + All other) divided by total net revenues for the year ended 2024-12-31 (Form 10-K filed 2025-02-14).
Regulated Standards Pipe
Legal
Regulated Standards Pipe
Strength
Durability
Confidence
Evidence
Baseline moat stems from regulatory/quality requirements and established commercial access, but categories are generally competitive and more exposed to policy and substitution.
Erosion risks
- Medicare negotiation and broader drug pricing reforms
- Generic entry or therapeutic substitution
- Volume declines in legacy categories (e.g., HCV as patient pools shrink)
Leading indicators
- Net revenue trends for Mavyret/Creon/Linzess
- Policy milestones for negotiation cycles and implementation
- Competitive launches and formulary changes
Counterarguments
- In mature categories, regulatory barriers rarely translate into durable pricing power
- Payers can shift demand rapidly toward cheaper alternatives
Evidence
no generic entry for any upadacitinib tablets is expected prior to April 2037 in the United States.
Direct company disclosure extending expected U.S. generic entry timing for Rinvoq (conditional on pediatric exclusivity).
composition of matter patents ... expected to expire in 2033.
The 10-K highlights Skyrizi and Rinvoq composition-of-matter patents as significant and expected to expire in 2033 (baseline before later settlement updates).
The filing describes sequential clinical phases, NDA/BLA submissions, and that the discovery-to-launch process typically spans many years, with ongoing post-approval compliance obligations.
Explains AbbVie's reliance on patents and regulatory exclusivity to protect products and delay generic/biosimilar entry.
Lists Imbruvica among the Part D drugs selected for negotiation for initial price applicability year 2026, signaling pricing pressure risk for the franchise.
Showing 5 of 9 sources.
Risks & Indicators
Erosion risks
- Loss of exclusivity and biosimilar/generic entry (rapid net price and volume erosion)
- Patent challenges, adverse litigation outcomes, or settlements on less favorable terms
- Payer/formulary pressure and step-edits reducing realized net pricing
- U.S. drug pricing policy changes (rebates, negotiation frameworks, reimbursement changes)
- Competing mechanisms (new biologics, oral therapies, or novel modalities) shifting standards of care
- R&D productivity declines or late-stage trial failures
Leading indicators
- Skyrizi and Rinvoq net revenue growth vs prior year
- Share trends in psoriasis/IBD/RA and other labeled indications
- Formulary positioning and rebate pressure in U.S. channels
- Patent litigation docket / settlement announcements for key assets
- Pipeline readouts and additional indication approvals
- Phase 2/3 pipeline advancement and success rates
Curation & Accuracy
This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).
Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.